Machine for the manufacture of piping and the like by centrifugal casting



F. ARENS v MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PIPING AND THE LIKE BY CENTRIFUGAL CASTING /n Mentor 1923 2 Shanta-Sheet 1 Filed March 2'? @cth 2, W3.

' F. ARENS MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PIPING AND THE LIKE BY CENTRIFUGAL CASTING 1923 2 Shawtmh-Shwt 2 Filed Mar ch 2 V /n Mentor:

m U HhU I INHNH I I IU IH IH I P P HH l l l l HT at the machine after the Patented @ct. 2, W23.

FERNANDO i MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PIPING AND 1 L155; CASTING.

=1 ans, or see PAULO, ennzrn' BY GTE, (Ir

' Application filed name 27, 1923. Serial 1%. Meddl- To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, FERNANDO Ame a citizen of Brazil, and a resident of ao Paulo, Rua Libero Badaro 120, Brazil, have I invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for the Manufacture of Piping and the Like by Centrifugal Casting, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to machines for the manufacture of hollow articles, especially piping, by centrifugal casting.

A preferred embodiment of the machine is illustrated by the drawings, Fig; 1 being 1 a longitudinal section, showing the parts in their relative position at the commencement of the operation; Fig. 2 is a similar view, withthe parts atthe end of the for ward movement; Fig. 3 is a similar view of parts have been returned to the initial position, the finished pipe having been removed; Fig. 4 is a section as in Fig. 1 enlarged, the section bein taken substantially upon the line C-D 25 Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5 1s a section taken upon the line A-B of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a front view of the core; Fig. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the casting tube; and Fig. 8 is a section taken upon the line E-F of Fig. 7, looking in the direction 0f the arrows. Upon the base 4, which rests upon the general su port3, is revolubly mounted by 535 means of s aft 4:, the casting tube 6. Upon the same base 4 is supporteda metal container 1. The metal container rests upon insert rings 28 Fig. 7), the number of whlch regulates t epressure of the liquid 40 .metal. The bottom ring 28 rests directly upon the casting tube 6. A stopper 2 that may be removed at will and replaced by another stopper, controls the flow of molten metal from the container 1 to the tube 6.

The casting tube 6 consists of an outer wall 29 and a number of various insulating layers 30. When the stopper 2 is lifted, the molten metal from the container 1 enters the tube 6, flowing against the insulating to layers 30.

At the other end of the base 3 (Fig. 1). there is a-second support 7 having a socket. A mandrel 9 having a tenon 8 is rotatably mounted in the vsocket and is supported upon rollers 10 that rest upolra swlvel plate 11.

"is hollow in order t The mandrel may be lifted by h draulic pressure supplied to the socket be ow the tenon- 8 through a pipe 27. The mandrel is counterbalanced at the rear end ,by a

balance weight 12. A weight 13 similarly counterbalances the casting tube 6.

The casting tube rojects into a casing 14 in which is dispos an electrically driven rotary casting mould 15 in co-axial relation to the casting tube 6. The mould 15 contains a spiral 16 and is'closed by a core 18.

The core 18 (Fig. '6) consists of several v segments 37 separated by slits into which strips ofsoft wood or the like are insorted, which, under the influence of the pressure and the heat ofthe pipe-head. shrink and char. The segments 3 are held together by springs 38 (Figs. 4 and 6) which form a resilient union. Under the slits are arranged movableplates 36, which support the inserted strips. The plates are attached at one side to one segment and extend across the slits in sliding contact with the adjacent segment.

The cylinder is driven by an hydraullc press 19 (Fig. 1). At both ends of the easmg 14 there are ramps or cams 21 and 22. These ram s rise sharply, and then pass into the horizontal. At one end of the press 19 is a throttle valve 42 for controlhn the inflow and outflow of the pressure flui At the sides or the cylinder are disposed cooling water pipes 43. In order to remove the fumes orgases formed in the cylinder, suction devices, like ventilators, may be provided. The piston 20 (Fig. is connected to the front end of the casing 14 by means of a connectin arm 23. This piston hat the cooling water may pass therethrough and the hollow connecting arm 23 to the tubes t3. 'lo facilitate the movement. of thecylinder, it I rollers 24 along ides or tracm 25. 2 operation is as foowsag v The parts are shown 1n their in tial positibn in Fig. 1. The casing is at thlstlme at the left of Fig. 1. The motor 3'1- Is now started causing the castin mould to re- 'volve At the same time t stopper 2 is lifted and water under pressure is admitted to the press 19. The molten metal flows from the containerl 1 into the tube 6 and A water under pressure is at the mine time admitted through the pipe 4L4 into the p 19, causing forward movement of the casing 11W centrifugal action. The quantity of molten rnetal admitted at each operation into the container 1 corresponds to the amount required for the making of one pipe. Toward the end of the forward movement of the cylinder, the water is automaticall almost entirely shut off by the ramp 22. T e movement is thus slowed down at the end of the tion.

V vice of any desirable'construction may attachedto spray or underface the casting.

stroke so that the casing is brought to a stop without shock. Meanwhile the mandrel 9 has become projected into the interior of the pipe just solidified (Fig. 2). Now by admitting water under pressure by way of the pipe 27, the mandrel 9 may be lifted until the pipe 17 hangs freely upon the mandrel. The casin isthen returned to the starting position (Fig. 3). By means of the ramp 22, the casing at the end of the return stroke is brought to a gradual stop in the same manner as in forward movement. The pipe 17 hangs on the mandrel 9 and the core 18 is mechanically withdrawn from the head of the pipe. The mandrel 9, after discharging the pressure water, is brought to rest withits rollers 10 on the swivel plate 11 and is swung out of the plane of the drawings. The pipe may now be taken 0d the mandrel, and the latter swung back into working osition. While the casing is at the rightand end (Fig. 2) the casting tube 6 may be turned on its axle on the support 4 by means of roller 35, and replaced by a second, third, etc. casting tube, the newly attached tube 6 being each time swung back into working position. .When the casin vis returned, therefore, a new casting tube is in readiness for the next operation. The process may then be continued uninterruptedly.

In place of the casting tube a spraying de mould with some desirable material (for instance such as might be suitable for softening the iron). The desired material will, of course, be placed \in {the container 1 so that itmay be distributed therefrom in the interior; ofthe casting mould by the spraying device. Of course during this performance the casing must run idly backwards and forwards through one cycle of the opera- The provision for interchanging the castmg tube has the advanta that it can be time .to travel through menace mg oxidation of the meltingmaterial. The

removal of the red hot tube also considerably prolongs the life of the casting mould becauseit is not submitted to continual onesided effect and wear of the heat. In fact, generally speaking, with this machine almost all the work is accomplished by mechanical processes so that the demand upon manual help is restrictedtoa minimum. A further advantage of the machine is that innumerable pipes can be turned out with one and the same core, while hitherto the cores made of sand had to be renewed for every pipe, and also had the disadvantage of breaking during the casting. The horizontal arrangement of the casting tube no longer necessitablished co-relationship between the feed of molten metal and the motion of the easing 14}. The valve 42 is it is normally held open, the valve stem projecting upwardly into the path of the ramps At the beginning of the forward movement, when the pressure fluid is admitted to the left end of the press, the valve stem is, as hasbeen previously pointed out, pressed down by the ramp 22 to almost close the valve 42. The rate at which the fluid can flow out is, therefore, very small and the rate of motion of the piston is correspondingly smal will continue until the horizontal surface of the ramp has passed the stem and the latter is allowed to rise along the inclined surface permitting the valve to open. The rate of outflow of the fluid therefore increases with the gradient of the incline and then reaches full value.

The length of the horizontal portion and the incline are pirically determined to bring about perfect casting action. The arrang'ement is such that when the motor 31 is set into operation, the stopper 2 is lifted and the control valve 19 is set at the same moving the piston, which corresponds to the length of the horizontal surface of the ramp 22, together with the rate of acceleration, which corresponds to the incline of the ramp 22, are so chosen that and fill out the head of the mould space,

without excess or insufliciency of metal. The

combined horizontal and inclined portion of,

the ramp 22, generally, represents a mathe matical curve which is a function of various factors such as 1: of the path of travel of the molten meta resistance of path, presso constructed that 1 This rate of motionthe molten metal has the casting tube 8 tates the sloping position in other machines. 0f special advantage is the automatically esbe time. The length of the time for slowly moaeaa sure of fluid, effective valve opening when the valve 42 is nearly closed, etc. The feed of the metal and the motion of the casing 14 are thus interdependent, wherebyabsolute uniformity of the casting operation 1s forward stroke and the beginning of the return stroke throttles the admission of the pressure fluid into thepress.

The significance of the reduced speed of the mould at the end of the casting operation is as follows:

After the casting operation-is completed, the metal cools and shrinks as is well understood. It would then come to rest upon the bottom surface of the mould 15, while moving away from the top surface and also from the sides. hot pipe to the mould wouldthus be concentrated at the narrow zone of contact at the bottom. However, when the mould 15 is not allowed to' come to-rest but is rotated at a small speed, the heat transfer cannot do any damage to the mould.

f It is understood that the relative motion betweenthe casting tube and the mandrel and the mould 15 may be effected by holding the casing 14 stationary and moving the casting tube and the mandrel respectively.

I claim 1. A--.machine for. manufacturing piping and the like by centrifugal casting having, in combination, a rotatable casting mold, a casting tube of substantially the same length as the moldhaving a laterally di- "rected opening, means whereby molten metal is adapted to be forced under pressure into the casting tube and, through the opening,

into the casting mold, means for rotating the casting mold, and means for effecting relative longltudinal movement between the casting mold and the casting ,tube during,

the rotation of themold.

2. A machine according to claim,,1 including a support for the casting tube, constructed and arranged to permit swinging of the latter out of its normal position.

3. A-machine according to claim 1 including a support for the casting tube, constructed and arranged to afi'ord removal of the casting tube and substitution of another tube therefor.

4. A machine of the character described,

comprising a rotary,casting mold, a casting tube and a mandrel disposed onopposite The heat transfer from thesides of the mold and substantially in axial alignment therewith, means for moving the mold, thecasting tube and the mandrel relatively to one another so as to position either the casting tube or the mandrel Within the mold and means for imparting vertical movement to the mandrel whereby the latter may be raised to freely support the pipe castin 5. g machine according to claim 4 including a support for the mandrel, constructed and arranged to permit swinging of the .latter out of its normal position. A

6. A machine for manufacturing pipingv and the like by centrifugal casting, comprising, in combination a casting tube disposed in substantially horizontal position, means for forcing molten, metal under pressure through the casting tube, a casting mold, means for revolubly supporting the casting mold and means for moving the said supporting means to move the casting mold concentrically with the castingitube toward and away from the latter.

7. A machine according to claim 1, in-

cluding a core for the mold, comprising a plurality of segmentsseparated by radial I slits, yielding material in the slits and resilient means for yieldingly holding the segments and the material together.

8. Machine as defined in claim 7 in which the yielding material has the form of combustible strips "adapted to carbonize under the conditions .of use.

9. Machine according to claim 1 in which the means whereby the molten metal is adapted to be forced under pressure into the casting-f tube comprises a container and a vertical conduit between the container the casting tube.

10. Machine accordin to claim 9 in which the-said conduit 1s separate and deand tachable from both, the casting tube and the container.

11. Machine according to claim 10 in which the conduit is composed of a plurality of, sections whereby the height of the conduit may be adjusted.

. 12. Machine according to claim -1 including a container, a vertical conduit between.

the container and the castin tube, said conduit being detachable at its ower end from the casting tube, and a valve stem extending through the container and the conduit to.the casting tube for controlling the flow of metal, the casting tube defininga valve seat for the valve stem.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casting tube disposed in substantially horizontal position, a casting mold, means for revolubly supporting the mold, mechanismfor horizontally moving the mold supporting means toward and away from the casting tube and in substantially concentric relation thereto, means for ire 'controllin the flow of metal through the casting tu e, means for controlling the said mechanism and means moving with the casting mold and cooperating with the. means for controlling the said mechanism for automatically efi'ecting a period of slow motion of the mold at the beginning and at the end or each stroke.

valve in the conduit at one end of the press cylinder, ramps projecting from the said support at both ends thereof, the said control valve having a valve stem extending into the-path of movement of said ramps, and the ramps and the stem being so correlated that the stem is depressed and held in depressed condition to 'decrease the effective valve aperture during predetermined parts of the movement of the said support at the end of each stroke. I

15. In apparatus of the class described, a casting mold mounted for horizontal movement, a hydraulic press for moving the mold, a valve near one end of the press cylinder for controlling the inflow and the outflow of the pressure fluid from said end, the valve being, normally open and having a stem projecting outwardly from the valve casing, and a ramp at each end of the mold, sa d ramps being dis osed to be in contact wlth the stem at the eginning and the end of each stroke or the mold and being shaped the combination of Menace to define an inclined portion adapted to effect a gradu l movement of the valve be tween entire y op n position and nearly closed position, and a substantially horizontal portion adapted to maintain the valve in nearly closedposition during a predetermined part of each stroke.

16. In apparatus of the class described, a revolubly mounted castin mold, a horizontally disposed casting tu e, means for moving the casting mold and tube relatively to each other in concentric relation, and means operative at will to revolve the casting mold at two dililerent speeds, a relatively high speed for the casting operation and a low speed at the end of the casting operation to prevent the tubular castin from coming to rest upon the mold. 117. n apparatus of the class described, a casting mold mounted for horizontal movement, a hydraulic press for moving the mold, a valve for controlling the llow of pressure tluidilor operating the press and means movable with the mold for acting upon the valve to automatically vary the eltective valve aperture at predetermined points along the path of movement of the mold.

18. In apparatus of the class described, a casting mold mounted for horizontal movement, means for moving the mold, means for controlling the said moving means and means movable with the mold for acting upon said controlling means to automaticall vary the rate of motion of the mold at pre etermined' points along the path of movement thereof.

In testimony whereof, l have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of February, N23.

rnnnanno ARENS. 

